Tendulkar offered seat in parliament

Cricketing great Sachin Tendulkar has been nominated by India's prime minister for a seat in the upper house of parliament, according to a government source.

Prime minister Manmohan Singh's letter recommending Tendulkar's nomination must be endorsed by Indian president Pratibha Patil, the source said.

Tendulkar, who turned 39 this week, was in New Delhi to play an Indian Premier League match for the Mumbai Indians against the Delhi Daredevils on Friday.

Earlier on Thursday, Tendulkar and his wife visited ruling Congress Party president Sonia Gandhi at her residence, a meeting described as a "courtesy visit" by the local media.

The vast majority of the 250 seats in the upper house are chosen by state legislatures, although 12 are filled by presidential appointment and are normally awarded to those who have excelled in fields like the arts, science and sport.

Tendulkar's name is among four the government has recommended to the president to fill seats lying vacant, the Press Trust of India news agency said.

Tendulkar made his international debut in 1989 and has played more Tests (188) and one-day internationals (463) than any other player.

He is the highest run-getter in both forms of the game and last month became the first batsman to complete 100 international centuries - 51 in Tests and 49 in one-dayers.

Reports of his Rajya Sabha (upper house) nomination are likely to spark fresh speculation about his immediate future, although Tendulkar himself has dismissed talk of retirement anytime soon.